Film: Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald

GENRE: Fantasy Adventure

RATING: PG13 for fantasy action
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 14 minutes

STARRING: Eddie Redmayne (Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl)

Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice), Johnny Depp (Pirates . . . )

DIRECTOR: David Yates (Harry Potter 5-8, Fantastic Beasts)

WRITER: JK Rowling (Harry Potter novels, Fantastic Beasts)

PLOT: Newt and the gang try to recapture Gindelwald and find out the true identity of Credence Barebone.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Just a casual fan of this series.

STORY STUFF: I’m just not finding the story as captivating as I would like. I think the characters are interesting and there are some great moments throughout but I’m not on the edge of my seat. I’m glad after two films, I finally know who Credence really is (but wow, it took a long time to get there). I do like that they change locations and we get Paris instead of New York. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks to Hogwarts.

ACTING STUFF: Redmayne continues to delight in his twitchiness and Dan Folger is always fun to watch as Kowalski. Waterson’s Tina is fine and all but I’m not really rooting for her. Depp gets to be playful and menacing with Grindelwald but I found Jude Law just okay as Dumbledore. I assume he’ll get more awesome in the next films.

ARTISTIC STUFF: It’s on par with the first film and the Harry Potter series. Some amazing visuals that are both creative and mesmerizing. The dragon looks a little too close to Fuchur, Atreyu’s luck dragon from Neverending Story and I don’t know if that was intentional or not. Again, my favourite beasts are the nifflers.

VERDICT: Three stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You liked the first one and want more

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Film: Bohemian Rhapsody

GENRE: Biography, Drama

RATING: PG13 for thematic elements, language, drugs, etc.
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 14 minutes

STARRING: Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, BoJack Horseman)

Gwilym Lee (Midsomer Murders), Ben Hardy (X-Men: Apocalypse)

DIRECTOR: Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men)

WRITER: Anthony McCarten (Darkest Hour, Theory of Everything)

PLOT: The classic rock group Queen from their start to Live Aid.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I enjoy Queen’s hits but not a die hard fan.

STORY STUFF: I found the behind the scene aspects of this bio really fascinating. I know the critics were hoping for something more salacious but I was fine with the PG-13 version (besides it was produced by band members Brian May & Roger Taylor and manager Jim ‘Miami’ Beach among others.) I was unaware of the collaborative spirit of the band, assuming Freddie was doing everything. The quick story behind the ‘I Want to Break Free’ music video surprised me as well. I was hoping for a little more about the inspiration behind some of the lyrics but was satisfied hearing the intentions behind their eclectic style.

ACTING STUFF: Malek is phenomenal as Freddie Mercury, I hope he gets an Oscar nomination for his efforts. He shines with his flamboyance as well as his quieter, contemplative moments. Also enjoyed the performance of the rest of the band. Lucy Boynton is just okay as Mary Austin. I wished Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Wire) had a bit more screen time and I loved the stunt casting of Mike Myers as Ray Foster, who doesn’t understand the brilliance of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

ARTISTIC STUFF: I enjoyed the recreation of the concerts, especially the climactic Live Aid performance. Sure, there are a few green screen moments but it still is mesmerizing. Of course, the music is amazing. I dare you to not tap your feet during many of their hits. The make-up on Malek is also top-notch and helps sell his Mercury-ness.  

VERDICT: Four and a half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You like some Queen songs and want an interesting bio

UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Grinch, Fantastic Beasts 2

Film: First Man

GENRE: Biography

RATING: PG13 for thematic stuff & brief language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 21 minutes

STARRING: Ryan Gosling (La La Land, BladeRunner 2049, Drive)

Claire Foy (The Crown), Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty)

DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash)

WRITER: Josh Singer (The Post, Spotlight, West Wing)

PLOT: Neil Armstrong and the journey to be the first on the moon.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Had some high expectations based on trailers.

STORY STUFF: Pretty disappointed actually. Armstrong’s life is not all that exciting. Sure he goes to the moon and tries out a bunch of space equipment, but he’s too stoic and quiet with his family. They should have called this ‘Second Man’ and focused on Buzz Aldrin instead; he seemed a lot more interesting. While there are some great moments here and there it is threaded together with really slow family tension. It did remind me how dangerous space travel is and how I would never want to do it.

ACTING STUFF: No shocker that Gosling is once again playing someone who thinks a lot and says few words. He did not keep me interested. Foy did what she could with the material. Corey Stoll (Ant Man, House of Cards) was a breath of fresh air as the blunt Buzz Alrin. Kyle Chandler (Friday Light Nights) fits the part but it makes me miss Coach Taylor.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Most of the space shots were impressive and artsy, something I would expect from Chazelle after La La Land. Lots of shaky camera work and giving us Armstrong’s POV which works for the most part but gets a tad repetitive. Actually, the worst part for me was the score by Justin Hurwitz who apparently felt we needed to hear some more La La Land. This jazzy music completely pulled me out of the film (even though I thought La La Land was pretty decent). Chazelle find another composer; this one’s stuck on repeat.

VERDICT: Two and a half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You love space travel and staring at Ryan Gosling.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Winter Movie Preview

Fall TV Review

Thought I’d take a minute to let you know how some of the new shows are doing. I tried the Murphy Brown reboot but the laugh track was so annoying and the jokes were pretty forced. I get enough Trump jokes from late night. The Hillary cameo was cute but everything on the shows seems so desperate. Anyway, here are the shows I’ve tried out:

TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN [AMAZON]

Network/Time: Amazon Prime

Genre: Action Drama

Starring: John Krasinski & Wendell Pierce

Premise: Early years of Jack Ryan from analyst to operative

Seen: Two episodes

Pros: Krasinski is his charming self and has upgraded to action hero; they obviously have a big enough budget to blow stuff up which helps; the equal time from the terrorist POV is also interesting

Cons: Some of the analyst epiphanies come too quickly; I didn’t realize I needed to put the subtitles on to see the Arabic, so I first thought I was supposed to just get the gist of what they were saying

Verdict: I’ll keep watching for interesting escapism

KIDDING [SHOWTIME]

Network/Time: Showtime, Sundays at 9pm

Genre: Dramedy

Starring: Jim Carrey & Catherine Keener

Premise: A famous children’s icon struggles with a crumbling family life

Seen: Five episodes

Pros: Some oddly funny moments; Frank Langella is great as Carrey’s father; like the Jeff Pickles show and imaginative puppets and such

Cons: Carrey seems to channel Andy Kaufman at times; hate his haircut

Verdict: I’ll watch but just out of curiosity

MANIAC [NETFLIX]

Network/Time: Netflix

Genre: Dramedy

Starring: Jonah Hill & Emma Stone

Premise: Two strangers are in a mysterious pharmaceutical trial

Seen: Four episodes

Pros: First couple episodes were intriguing; Hill & Stone play their parts well

Cons: The mind/dream sequences weren’t doing it for me

Verdict: I quit, I didn’t find myself rooting for either character

MANIFEST [ABC]

Network/Time: NBC, Mondays at 10pm

Genre: Supernatural Mystery

Starring: JR Ramirez & Josh Dallas

Premise: A flight disappears and reappears five years later

Seen: Three episodes

Pros: Premise is intriguing enough to hook me

Cons: The opening voice over is annoying – show me, don’t tell me; it’s also not quite ‘Lost’ enough

Verdict: I’ll keep watching to see where it goes

HAPPY TOGETHER [CBS]

Network/Time: CBS, Mondays at 8:30pm

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Damon Wayans Jr.

Premise: A married couple take in a mega star and try to keep up with him

Seen: Two episodes

Pros: Love the main couple; love that they like being with each other – we can relate

Cons: The laugh track is a bit much at times; premise seems limited

Verdict: I’ll keep watching, it’s fun.

Here are a couple shows that I was unaware of when I was making my previous Fall Preview.

The Good Cop premiered on Netflix

Tony Danza & Josh Groban as father-son cops with different styles

The Romanoffs premieres Fri, Oct 12 on Amazon Prime

Anthology series by Matthew Weiner (Mad Men) 

Camping premieres Sun, Oct 14 on HBO

Jennifer Garner & David Tennant at a disastrous campout

The First premieres Wed, Nov 14 on Hulu

Beau Willimon (House of Cards) directs Sean Penn trying to get to Mars

Escape at Dannemora premieres Sun, Nov 18 on Showtime

Ben Stiller directs true story of using a female guard for a prison-break

UPCOMING REVIEWS: First Man

Emmy Award Wrap Up 2018

Couple surprises this time around. I got 15 out of 22 categories (I count predicted and wanted as wins). Don’t know anyone who has seen Mrs. Maisel but apparently it deserves awards? It was a weird night. Didn’t think Colin Jost and Michael Che were that funny but it could have been worse. I found the set off-putting. What’s with the enormous photos and revolving walls? Were they trying to make the presenters and winners look tiny? Also, did they not trust the presenters to say “here are the nominees” this year? Awkward to have the nominees followed by awful banter before announcing a winner. Found it funny that they had two Handmaid’s Tale actresses hand out the award for supporting actress where three of their own were nominated only to give it to Thandie Newton (who I didn’t really think deserved it). Liked Fred Armisen’s ‘You good?’ but the idea of him and Maya Rudolph as experts was ill-conceived. Liked Jeff Daniels winning and his speech. Loved the surprise proposal and the reactions, loved that Leslie Jones seemed more excited about Regina King’s win than she did and loved that Henry Winkler, Bill Hader, John Mulaney and The Americans won awards tonight. Here were some of the winners:

THE WINNERS:

Drama Series: Game of Thrones (Wanted)  

Comedy Series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Limited Series: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (Predicted & Wanted)

Television Movie: Black Mirror – USS Callister (Wanted)  

Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Predicted & Wanted)

Variety Sketch Series: SNL (Predicted & Wanted)

Reality Series: RuPaul’s Drag Race (Predicted)  

Lead Actor [Drama]: Matthew Rhys (Predicted)  

Lead Actress [Drama]: Claire Foy

Lead Actor [Comedy]: Bill Hader (Wanted)  

Lead Actress [Comedy]: Rachel Brosnahan (Predicted)

Lead Actor [Limited]: Darren Criss (Predicted)  

Lead Actress [Limited]: Regina King

Supp. Actor [Drama]: Peter Dinklage

Supp. Actress [Drama]: Thandie Newton  

Supp. Actor [Comedy]: Henry Winkler (Predicted)

Supp. Actress [Comedy]: Alex Borstein

Supp. Actor [Limited]: Jeff Daniels (Predicted)  

Supp. Actress [Limited]: Merritt Weaver

Writing [Drama]: The Americans – Start

Writing [Comedy]: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Pilot (Predicted)   

Writing [Limited]: Black Mirror – USS Callister (Predicted & Wanted) 

Emmy Award Predictions 2018

The Emmys are on Monday this year instead of Sunday (NBC won’t give up Sunday Night Football). I haven’t seen Marvelous Mrs. Maisel which will probably screw me over on some predictions. This is probably one of the most hard to predict years with all the new series, but that won’t stop me. For the Primetime Emmys predictions, it’s same as past years: I play to win but am happy if the one I want to win takes the statue. Here now are the fearless predictions:

Outstanding Drama Series

The Americans | The Crown | Game of Thrones | The Handmaid’s Tale | Stranger Things | This Is Us | Westworld

WILL WIN: The Handmaid’s Tale (Still unsettling)

WANT TO WIN: Game of Thrones (Even though its been a while)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Atlanta | Barry | Black-ish | Curb Your Enthusiasm | GLOW | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Silicon Valley | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

WILL WIN: Atlanta (Still a lot of love for this show.)

WANT TO WIN: Curb Your Enthusiasm (Loved the jihad storyline)

Outstanding Limited Series

The Alienist | The Assassination of Gianni Versace | Genius-Picasso | Godless | Patrick Melrose

WILL WIN: Assassination of Gianni Versace (It’s no OJ though)

WANT TO WIN: Assassination of Gianni Versace (Don’t really care)

Outstanding Television Movie

Fahrenheit 451 | Flint | Paterno | The Tale | Black Mirror-USS Callister

WILL WIN: The Tale (Just guessing)

WANT TO WIN: Black Mirror-USS Callister (Love that show.)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

Daily Show with Trevor Noah | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | Jimmy Kimmel Live | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | The Late Late Show with James Corden | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert  

WILL WIN: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (He’s awesome and informative)

WANT TO WIN: Last Week Tonight (Still shocked Seth wasn’t nominated)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

At Home with Amy Sedaris | Drunk History | I Love You America with Sarah Silverman | Portlandia | SNL | Tracey Ullman’s Show

WILL WIN: SNL (This show has been on a roll)

WANT TO WIN: SNL (Hands down)

Outstanding Reality – Competition Program

Amazing Race | America Ninja Warrior | Project Runway | RuPaul’s Drag Race | Top Chef | The Voice

WILL WIN: RuPaul’s Drag Race (Gaining lots of popularity)

WANT TO WIN: Amazing Race (Only one I watch of these)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

The Americans: Matthew Rhys | Ozark: Jason Bateman | This Is Us: Sterling K Brown | This Is Us: Milo Ventimiglia | Westworld: Ed Harris | Westworld: Jeffrey Wright

WILL WIN: Matthew Rhys (The Americans needs some love)

WANT TO WIN: Sterling K Brown (He’s pretty awesome)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The Americans: Keri Russell | The Crown: Claire Foy | Handmaid’s Tale: Elisabeth Moss | Killing Eve: Sandra Oh | Orphan Black: Tatiana Maslany | Westworld: Evan Rachel Wood

WILL WIN: Elisabeth Moss (Critics love her work)

WANT TO WIN: Keri Russell (she’s fantastic in The Americans)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Atlanta: Donald Glover | Barry: Bill Hader | Black-ish: Anthony Anderson |Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David | The Good Place: Ted Danson | Shameless: William H Macy

WILL WIN: Donald Glover (He’s had a good year.)

WANT TO WIN: Bill Hader (Such a fun, interesting role.)

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Better Things: Pamela Adlon | Black-ish: Tracee Ellis Ross | Grace and Frankie: Lily Tomlin | Insecure: Issa Rae | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Rachel Brosnahan | Mom: Allison Janney

WILL WIN: Rachel Brosnahan (Haven’t seen it but apparently it’s good)

WANT TO WIN: Pamela Adlon (Show's produced by Louis CK though)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Assassination of Gianni Versace: Darren Criss | Genius-Picasso: Antonio Banderas | Jesus Christ Superstar: John Legend | The Looming Tower: Jeff Daniels | Patrick Melrose: Benedict Cumberbatch | Black Mirror-USS Callister: Jesse Plemons

WILL WIN: Darren Criss (He went above and beyond)

WANT TO WIN: Jesse Plemons (So creepy)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

AHS-Cult: Sarah Paulson | Godless: Michelle Dockery | L&O-True Crime-Menendez Murders: Edie Falco | Seven Seconds: Regina King | The Sinner: Jessica Biel | The Tale: Laura Dern

WILL WIN: Laura Dern (People like her)

WANT TO WIN: Jessica Biel (Heard she’s good in it)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

The Crown: Matt Smith | Game of Thrones: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau | Game of Thrones: Peter Dinklage | Handmaid’s Tale: Joseph Fiennes | Homeland: Mandy Patinkin | Stranger Things: David Harbour

WILL WIN: David Harbour (Stranger Things could use some awards)

WANT TO WIN: Mandy Patinkin (He deserves more credit)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The Crown: Vanessa Kirby | Game of Thrones: Lena Headey | Handmaid’s Tale: Alexis Bledel | Handmaid’s Tale: Ann Dowd | Handmaid’s Tale: Yvonne Strahovski | Stranger Things: Millie Bobby Brown | Westworld: Thandie Newton

WILL WIN: Ann Dowd (She played such a complex character)

WANT TO WIN: Ann Dowd (see above)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Atlanta: Brian Tyree Henry | Barry: Henry Winkler | Baskets: Louie Anderson | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Tony Shalhoub | SNL: Alec Baldwin | SNL: Kenan Thompson | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Tituss Burgess

WILL WIN: Henry Winkler (Some great overacting)

WANT TO WIN: Kenan Thompson (He deserves it after all these years)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Atlanta: Zazie Beeetz | GLOW: Betty Gilpin | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Alex Borstein | Roseanne: Laurie Metcalf | SNL: Aidy Bryant | SNL: Leslie Jones | SNL: Kate McKinnon | Will & Grace: Megan Mullally

WILL WIN: Kate McKinnon (At least the Hillary impression can win)

WANT TO WIN: Kate McKinnon (like SNL people winning things)

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Assassination of Gianni Versace: Ricky Martin | Assassination of Gianni Versace: Edgar Ramirez | Assassination of Gianni Versace: Finn Wittrock | Godless: Jeff Daniels | Jesus Christ Superstar: Brandon Victor Dixon | The Looming Tower: Michael Stuhlbarg | Waco: John Leguizamo

WILL WIN: Jeff Daniels (He’s always good)

WANT TO WIN: Edgar Ramirez (Wished he was in it more.)

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

AHS-Cult: Adina Porter | Assassination of Gianni Versace: Penelope Cruz | Assassination of Gianni Versace: Judith Light | Black Mirror-Black Museum: Letitia Wright | Godless: Merritt Wever | Jesus Christ Superstar: Sara Bareilles

WILL WIN: Penelope Cruz (Even though I don’t like watching her)

WANT TO WIN: Letitia Wright (Also liked her in Black Panther)

Writing for a Drama Series

The Americans • Start | The Crown • Mystery Man | Game of Thrones • The Dragon and the Wolf | The Handmaid’s Tale • June | Killing Eve • Nice Face | Stranger Things • Chapter Nine: The Gate

WILL WIN: The Americans-Start (An amazing series finale)

WANT TO WIN: The Americans-Start (One of the best series finales ever)

Writing for a Comedy Series

Atlanta • Alligator Man | Atlanta • Barbershop | Barry • Chapter One: Make Your Mark | Barry • Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast and Keep Going  | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Pilot | Silicon Valley • Fifty-One Percent

WILL WIN: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel-Pilot (Guess I should watch this)

WANT TO WIN: Atlanta-Barbershop (One funny thing after another.)

Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special

Amercian Vandal • Clean Up | Assassination of Gianni Versace • House by the Lake | Godless | Patrick Melrose | Twin Peaks • Marcia, Marcia, Marcia | Black Mirror • USS Callister

WILL WIN: Black Mirror-USS Callister (A gripping story)

WANT TO WIN: Black Mirror-USS Callister (So good.)

Let’s see how I do. I’ll post after the Emmys with the results and commentary.